Bahrain Happenings 2017

Bahrain Happenings 2017

New Year, New Dining Deals

BUSHIDO RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE IS CONTINUING TO PLEASE THE PALATES OF ALL JAPANESE FOOD LOVERS WITH AMAZING NEW GASTRONOMY OFFERS FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Nabe Menu – available throughout January
There’s nothing better to warm you up this winter than a delicious hot pot dish – and throughout January, Bushido has your taste buds covered! Experience a range of hearty Japanese winter dishes, most widely known as nabemono (nabe is a cooking pot; mono are the things in the pot), with an exciting variety of healthy comfort food in the form of mixed broths and stews. Often referred to as simply nabe, the ingredients are lightly cooked in a broth to ensure that most of the vitamins are retained. In keeping with traditional Japanese cooking methods, the wide selection of nabemono dishes at Bushido will be served in authentic clay pots called donabe. Much like you’ll find in a Japanese home, the nabemono dish is perfect for sharing and is considered an enjoyable and social dining experience with family and friends.

Izakaya Sundays
When the Japanese want to keep their dining casual, they opt for the style of eating called “izakaya”. This informal food gathering sees a constant stream of shared dishes being brought to the table; the aim is to try out as many different menu items as you please, over good conversation! Food is served in small portions, similar to Spanish tapas, and is normally ordered slowly over several courses rather than all at once. Izakaya dining at Bushido includes a wide variety of signature dishes like the fiery famous Rock Shrimp Tempura, the succulent Sashimi Sea Bass, the citrusy Tuna Wakame, as well as the warm-to-the-touch Volcano Roll and the melt-in-your-mouth Beef Tenderloin with teriyaki sauce. Guests can re-order dishes as many times as they like. Now, what’s better than an invitation to impressive, unlimited Japanese cuisine? Available every Sunday from 7pm to 11.30pm for BD14.5++.

Teppan Tuesday
The word teppanyaki is derived from teppan (iron plate) and yaki (grilled, pan-fried or broiled). What makes this cooking and eating experience so special is not only the fresh, flavourful ingredients, but the performance artistry of the teppanyaki chefs. In the blink of an eye, you’ll witness some of the most sophisticated skills as Bushido’s teppanyaki chefs masterfully chop, dice and season food with their simple tools of the trade: a knife, fork and two metal spatulas. As you watch the magnificent display of dexterity, the chefs will set the grill aflame to cook your meal and divide each diner’s portion from the teppan to the plate. Watching the chefs prepare your food is only half the treat; the rest comes from the leisurely time spent eating your mouthwatering teppanyaki dishes. This one-of-a-kind meal is fun for all, whether couples, groups, or those celebrating a special occasion, like a birthday. Available every Tuesday from 7pm to 11.30pm for BD9.5++.

GO: Call 1758 3555 for reservations and more information

Foodie Favourite: YaSalam!

Ushering in early New Year’s celebrations, YaSalam!, the fast casual restaurant, has officially opened the doors of its new flagship branch on Budaiya Road. The restaurant, which is part of AlAbraaj Restaurants Group is bringing more amazing food to diners in a new location!

While shawarma is at the core of what YaSalam! offers, the menu also boasts a wide selection of unique salads and sides along with newly added burgers and kids’ meals. The offerings add an unusual twist on traditional fast food favourites that are great value-for-money, with an inspiring range of high-quality fresh ingredients including vegetables and meat products, all prepared fresh, locally in Bahrain. How yummy does that sound?

Customers can either choose their YaSalam! favourite directly off the menu or build their own shawarma, salad or burger with YaSalam!’s unique checklist menu of toppings, meat, bread and more. With up to six flavourful hot or cold fillings, the customised combination is sure to satisfy the most demanding palate. Among the offerings on YaSalam!’s fixed menu is beef, pulled lamb, chicken breast, shawarmas wrapped in YaSalam!’s signature flatbread, brown multigrain, and Arabic Saj. More unique choices include a healthy superfood shawarma packed with nutritional goodness and Bahrain’s staple street shawarma – the juicy malghoom.

options to its customers with an extensive selection of burgers catering to both meat-eaters and vegetarians. The list of choices includes classics such as cheeseburgers and grilled chicken sandwiches, along with exciting choices such as the YaSalam! double smoke burger, wild mushroom and falafel burger.

The restaurant’s concept of traditional Arabian and Western street food with a dash of adventure is inspired by the Arabic expression Ya Salam, used when you’re extremely impressed. The restaurant is characterised by funky, action-packed pop art featuring Middle Eastern elements that reflect its authentic Arabian core. AlAbraaj Restaurants Group’s portfolio of local brands includes AlAbraaj Restaurants, Al Bindaira Cafe, Nu Asia Restaurants, Lumee Street Cafés, and TCBY Frozen Yogurt

House Hunters Comes to Bahrain

In HGTV’s newest show, House Hunters Middle East, viewers follow families and couples from around the world as they try to find homes, start new jobs and build new lives in Bahrain and across the region.
Each episode gives viewers a behind the scenes glimpse of what people from all walks of life go through as they move their entire lives across the planet. You’ll get to see the highs and lows of relocating to the Middle East and North Africa.

With nearly half the population in the GCC being non-nationals, the new HGTV series is expected to be a big hit with the expat community who can relate to the people in the programme. Locals will also have the chance to see their country through the eyes of those arriving for the first time.
Phillip Luff, Managing Director, UK & EMEA Scripps Networks Interactive, said: “A vast number of people re-locate to the Middle East and North Africa every year to seek out the many opportunities on offer in the region.

“Buying a new home and starting a new job in a county you are not accustomed to can be an exciting but tough process, and hopefully our program will help highlight some of the pitfalls to look out for,” he continued. We know this program will resonate with the millions of people who have made similar moves, and I’m sure they will enjoy seeing how people in the show create new lives in the MENA region.”
House Hunters Middle East, is a re-versioned production of HGTV’s hugely popular show House Hunters International. The episodes have been hand selected to be aired on the new channel which launched on beIN at the beginning of November 2016. Episodes feature moves to Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Cairo, Oman, Turkey, Morocco and the UAE as the spotlight spreads out across the region.

GO: House Hunters Middle East is aired daily on channel 118 and exclusively available through beIN on the Top Entertainment, Complete, Elite and Elite DUO packages. Visit www.beIN.net/subscribe and www.HGTVarabia.com for more information

Chinese New Year Celebrations

It’s the year of the rooster and Bahrain’s joining in with the festivities! Here’s what’s to come…

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

On January 27, ring in the year of the rooster with a special Market Night event. There’s live cooking stations and bespoke cocktail and mocktail concoctions at both re/ Asian Cuisine and Blue Moon Lounge for BD32++ inclusive of beverages, served from 6pm to midnight. If you’re after something a little more extravagant, try the five or seven course Chinese New Year themed tasting menus with traditional Chinese food offerings. BD35++ for five courses and BD50++ for seven courses – yum!

GO: Call 1711 5000 for reservations and more information

The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa

Celebrate the year of the rooster at the award-winning Chinese Restaurant, China Garden. The 10-day celebration is set to run from January 26 to February 4 and will feature special, lucky traditional dishes and creative signature menu items from the very own specialty chefs. Also, each diner will get a chance to win amazing prizes at the end of the meal which includes dinners for two and much, much more. During the festival, like the Gulf Hotel Bahrain’s facebook page and participate in the weekly trivia competition which includes best themed photo of the week and more!

GO: Call 1771 3000 for reservations and more information

Sheraton Bahrain Hotel

Soie brings the ultimate in Chinese fare to your table! A set-menu with some of the most popular and finest Chinese cuisine is available on January 27 for BD14.9++ including a welcoming drink and BD19.9++ including a free half selected beverage of the day with a welcome drink. The mouthwatering a la carte menu is also available on request and a 20% discount on beverages is offered for those who opt for the set menu. ✤

GO: Call 1753 3533 for reservations and more information.

Fashion Frenzy

Designer fashion fans, hold onto your hats – the one and only Christian Louboutin is coming to Bahrain this month in celebration of the annual So French Week. His Excellency Bernard Regnauld-Fabre, who announced the news at a press conference last month, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Mr Louboutin for the fourth edition of French Week. Christian Louboutin is a celebrated designer, not only in Bahrain, but worldwide. His visit will include a gala dinner in his honour, taking place at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. He will also be making a special appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue on the 21st January,” he added.
The eponymous Christian Louboutin brand was launched in 1992, with its first boutique in Paris. An artist and a craftsman with a passion for shoes, Christian Louboutin’s designs are unique and instantly recognisable due to their signature red lacquered soles. Since the brand’s launch nearly 25 years ago, Louboutin’s collection now includes women and men’s shoes, handbags, small leather goods, perfume and more recently beauty products. With more than 100 boutiques globally, the French designer is acclaimed, globally.

Further commenting on the designer’s visit, His Excellency Bernard Regnauld-Fabre continued: “The aim of So French Week is to embrace the many aspects of French culture and the fashion industry falls firmly into this. French fashion, craftsmanship and design are world-renowned. The fashion industry in France is worth 34 billion Euros and there are dozens of French fashion brands in Bahrain alone.”
So French Week will run from January 18 to 23, under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Khalifa. During the week a range of events and activities will take place in Bahrain, with four main areas highlighted; technology, lifestyle, tourism and infrastructure.

Mado & Künefeci Awarded

The prestigious title of Favourite Turkish Restaurant in Bahrain for 2016 was presented to Mado & Künefeci. The award was given to the food outlets after popular online voting in the annual Citi FACT Awards saw Mado & Künefeci achieve the most public votes. All the mouthwatering goodness of classic Turkish dishes is what Mado & Künefeci offer hungry visitors.

Dubbed The Pride of Turkey, a visit to Mado means glorious Turkish breakfast, kofta, baklava and so much more, whilst Künefeci takes all your Künefe dreams and creates a cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-based syrup fit for any empire. The foodie favourites have been causing a stir on the culinary scene with diners who love good, wholesome Turkish cuisine.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

The third-edition of the Bahrain Shopping Festival – Shop Bahrain – is set to be the biggest nationwide event of its kind with a unique line-up of events and entertainment, a fantastic shopping experience and numerous prizes.

The 30-day event, Shop Bahrain, is aimed at celebrating the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism offering; co-organised by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) and Tamkeen, shoppers and anyone looking for a culture fix with great deals, will love this event! Running from January 19 to February 18, the calendar of events includes a Festival City located at Bahrain Bay which will host a variety of activities for all age groups. Other highlights include the return of the Taste Tour which aims to showcase the mouthwatering restaurants on the island, in addition to raffle draws offering visitors and residents the opportunity to win awesome prizes.

Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, said: “The third-edition of the Festival aims to further drive the growth of the tourism and retail sector through a close cooperation with the hospitality sector and shopping malls. This will contribute to the development of the national economy whilst attracting tourists from the Gulf region.

“The Festival will also be held during the school holiday which will directly result in an influx of tourists from the region. This will positively impact the retail sector, drive the occupancy of the hotels and support the airline industry along with other service-led industries. The activities and entertainment held during Shop Bahrain will further position the Kingdom as an ideal tourist destination. This year the line-up will be bigger and better,” he added. Shoppers will be enrolled in the Festival’s loyalty system when purchasing directly from any participating outlet and partner allowing them to win a wide range of prizes! ✤\

Costa’s Coffee King Crowned

Costa Coffee Barista Arjem Abrera Prado from Jawad Business Group was named the winner of the Barista of the Year regional final 2016. Judges said that it was Arjem’s technical skill and creative flair that helped him scoop the prize.
Arjem created a smooth and velvety speciality coffee drink by infusing nitrogen into Costa’s Mocha Italia blend and adding fresh Guava and Coconut into the milk. Having fought through opposition from fellow baristas across the Middle East and North Africa, this accolade recognises the 25-year-old barista as one of the most skilled coffee connoisseurs in the region, and amongst the top Costa Coffee baristas globally.

He will travel to London to be a part of the Champion of Champions final, against baristas from all over the world! If he’s crowned the champion he’ll win a 10-day trip for two to a coffee growing country, in addition to worldwide praise from the global Costa community. Congrats Arjem and good luck for London!